Posts Tagged L&D Capabiity

One aspect of my work is to help build capability in Learning and Development (L&D) teams in organisations. In a classic case of the cobbler’s children not having shoes, often there is no capability framework or development pathway in place for L&D function or roles in an organisation. A client has asked me to create an L&D capability framework and development pathway for their use. Since starting to explore this need I am finding other organisations that have the same need. Rather than create something bespoke I’d like to use an existing generic / industry framework, with adaptation if necessary. Why create something from scratch if you can meet the need with an existing tool? Taking it a step further, I wonder if I can find a generic development pathway against an L&D capability framework that uses as 70:20:10 approach, providing a range of ways that specific capabilities can be developed through a mix of experience, exposure and education. If this was supported by a range of good quality curated resources with links to relevant, active online communities and networks it would be a powerful resource. Who else would find such a resource valuable?

Starting with the L&D capability framework, one that I have used both individually and with teams is the Learning and Performance Institute’s (LPI) Capability Map. The LPI developed this tool in 2012 as an online self-assessment diagnostic tool to help L&D practitioners assess and benchmark their capability against 27 skills. It reflects the breadth of skills required in a modern L&D function. The descriptions of capability at four levels against each of the skills are clear and help flag what’s needed to move to the next level should this be your goal. When using it with a team I’ve had each person complete the free assessment and send their personalised reports to a coordinator who collated the results to produce a diagnostic ‘map’ of capability across the whole team. We used this an input to our annual planning session, doing a gap analysis of current L&D capability to what we needed to deliver on our annual plan, and creating a prioritised team development plan. The LPI provides a paid team Capability Assessment service. Today I spoke with Leon Boland at the LPI who is sending me information about the process and output from the team assessment, so I can decide whether to present this as an option to my client.

However, the piece that the LPI does not have in place currently is any form of development pathway or toolkit against their Capability Map. I’m now exploring whether they have a desire to develop this resource, and how I may be able to help with this.

How have others tackled the need for an L&D capability framework and development pathway? Can anyone recommend other resources that may help to meet this need?